Castrovalva - You’re Not In Hell, You’re In Purgatory My Friend

Madder than a gin-soaked box of frogs, Leeds noise-hop trio Castrovalva’s third album is surely one of the most fun records of 2012. The sheer, chaotic energy of songs like ‘In Our Prime’ and ‘Se’ – melding punk rock spittle with kinetic beats, Brit grime rapping, bonkers twists and Blood Brothers-esque falsettos – is absolutely fucking ace. But while it’s not one for verse-chorus-verse conventionalists, focusing too closely on Castrovalva’s batshittedness would do them a disservice, because ‘You’re Not In Hell…’ is gloriously inventive, musically accomplished and truly unique. The fact that it’s also a freakin’ hoot is just a welcome bonus.